U.S. patent application number 12/491402 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-08 for battery pack.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Dea Yon Moon.
Application Number | 20100086841 12/491402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41456882 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100086841 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moon; Dea Yon |
April 8, 2010 |
BATTERY PACK
Abstract
A battery pack including: a plurality of battery cells;
conductive tabs, each of which has a first portion electrically
connected to at least one of the battery cells, and a second
portion extending from the first portion; conductive lines
electrically connected to the second portions of the conductive
tabs; and a protective circuit module electrically connected to the
conductive lines. Each of the conductive tabs includes a conductive
line holding portion formed at the second portion, to fix the
corresponding conductive line. Due to this constitution of the
battery pack, the conductive lines are prevented from entirely
escaping from the area of solder joints with the conductive tabs,
after being disconnected from the solder joints. Therefore, the
conductive lines do not come into contact with the battery cells or
circuits of the protective circuit module.
Inventors: |
Moon; Dea Yon; (Yongin-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEIN MCEWEN, LLP
1400 EYE STREET, NW, SUITE 300
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
41456882 |
Appl. No.: |
12/491402 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
429/156 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 50/50 20210101;
Y02E 60/10 20130101; H01M 10/425 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
429/156 |
International
Class: |
H01M 6/42 20060101
H01M006/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 8, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0098830 |
Claims
1. A battery pack comprising: battery cells; conductive tabs
comprising, first portions that are electrically connected to the
battery cells, second portions that extend from the first portions,
and conductive line holding portions formed on the second portions;
conductive lines that are electrically connected to the second
portions of the conductive tabs and fixed by the conductive line
holding portions; and a protective circuit module electrically
connected to the conductive lines.
2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein each of the
conductive lines comprises a conductive wire, and an insulating
sheath surrounding the conductive wire and exposing ends of the
conductive wire.
3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the conductive
line holding portions comprise: extensions extending from ends of
the second portions of the conductive tabs; side walls extending
from opposing sides of the extensions; and opposing fixing
protrusions protruding toward each other, from the side walls.
4. The battery pack according to claim 3, wherein the insulating
sheaths are each positioned between respective ones of the fixing
protrusions.
5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the distance
between the fixing protrusions is smaller than the diameter of the
insulating sheaths.
6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein the distance
between the fixing protrusions is from about 60% to 85% of the
diameter of the insulating sheaths.
7. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the distance
between the side walls is equal to the diameter of the insulating
sheaths.
8. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the conductive
line holding portions comprise: extensions extending from ends of
the second portions of the conductive tabs; and tapered walls that
increase in thickness as they extend from opposing sides of the
extensions.
9. The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the distance
between the ends of the tapered walls is smaller than the diameter
of the insulating sheaths.
10. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the conductive
line holding portions comprise: extensions extending from ends of
the second portions of the conductive tab; and side walls extending
from opposing sides of the extensions.
11. The battery pack according to claim 10, wherein the distance
between the side walls is smaller than the diameter of the
insulating sheaths.
12. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the first
portion, the second portion, and the conductive line holding
portion of each conductive tab, are integrally formed.
13. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising
solder joints connecting the conductive lines to the second
portions of the conductive tabs.
14. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising
insulating tapes interposed between the second portions of the
conductive tabs and the battery cells.
15. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein: the first
portions of the conductive tabs are in contact with a terminal of
the corresponding battery cell; and the second portions of the
conductive tabs are parallel to the side surfaces of respective
ones of the battery cells.
16. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the battery
cells are cylindrical lithium secondary batteries.
17. A battery pack comprising: battery cells; conductive tabs
comprising, first portions that are electrically connected to the
battery cells, second portions that extend from the first portions,
and conductive line holding portions formed on the second portions;
conductive lines that are press fit into the conductive line
holding portions and soldered to the second portions of the
conductive tabs; and a protective circuit module electrically
connected to the conductive lines.
18. The battery pack of claim 17, wherein the conductive line
holding portions comprise: extensions extending from ends of the
second portions of the conductive tabs; and side walls extending
from opposing sides of the extensions, such that the distance
between adjacent ones of the side walls decreases, according to the
distance from the side walls.
19. The battery pack of claim 18, wherein a minimum distance
between adjacent ones of the sidewalls is less than a maximum
thickness of the conductive lines.
20. The battery pack of claim 17, wherein each of the conductive
tabs is electrically connected to at least of the battery cells.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2008-0098830, filed on Oct. 8, 2008, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein, by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] Aspects of the present invention relate to a battery
pack.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Battery packs are widely used in portable electronic
devices, such as notebook computers, personal digital assistants
(PDAs), and camcorders. A typical battery pack includes a set of
battery cells, due to the limited capacity of an individual battery
cell.
[0006] Specifically, a battery pack comprises a plurality of
rechargeable battery cells, a protective circuit module (PCM), and
conductive tabs and conductive lines electrically connecting the
battery cells and the protective circuit module. The PCM includes a
circuit to control the charge/discharge of the battery cells, a
circuit to prevent an overcharge/over-discharge of the battery
cells, and other circuits.
[0007] The conductive tabs and the conductive lines are
electrically connected by soldering. Since only portions of
conductive wires, which are exposed from the ends of the conductive
lines, are soldered to the conductive tabs, there is the risk that
the conductive wires may be easily disconnected from the solder
joints, when a strong external impact is applied to the battery
pack. As a result of the disconnection of the conductive wires, the
conductive lines may come into contact with the battery cells or
the circuits of the protective circuit module. This contact may
cause an electrical short.
[0008] In view of these problems, commercially available battery
packs include fixing tapes to fix the conductive lines to
predetermined areas of battery cells, if the conductive lines
become disconnected. However, an electrolyte leaking from the
battery cells weakens the adhesive strength of the fixing tapes,
making it impossible for the disconnected conductive lines to be
stably fixed to the predetermined areas.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Aspects of the present invention provide a battery pack
configured such that a disconnected conductive line is prevented
from escaping from the area of a solder joint with a conductive tab
and contacting a battery cell or a circuit of a protective circuit
module, thereby preventing an electrical short.
[0010] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a
battery pack comprising: a plurality of battery cells; conductive
tabs, each of which has a first portion electrically connected to
at least one of the battery cells, and a second portion extending
from the first portion; conductive lines electrically connected to
the second portions of the conductive tabs; and a protective
circuit module electrically connected to the conductive lines. Each
of the conductive tabs includes a conductive line holding portion
formed at the second portion, to fix the corresponding conductive
line.
[0011] According to another aspect of the present invention, each
of the conductive lines may include a conductive wire and an
insulating sheath surrounding the conductive wire and exposing both
ends of the conductive wire.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
conductive line holding portion may include an extension extending
from an end of the second portion of the conductive tab, side walls
extending from opposing sides of the extension, and fixing
protrusions protruding from the side walls, toward one another.
[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
insulating sheath may be positioned between the fixing
protrusions.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
distance between the fixing protrusions may be smaller than the
diameter of the insulating sheath.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
distance between the fixing protrusions may be from 60% to 85% of
the diameter of the insulating sheath.
[0016] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
distance between the side walls may be equal to the diameter of the
insulating sheath.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
conductive line holding portion may include an extension extending
from an end of the second portion of the conductive tab, and
tapered walls extending from opposing sides of the extension, which
gradually increase in thickness, according to distance from the
extension.
[0018] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
distance between the ends of the tapered walls may be smaller than
the diameter of the insulating sheath.
[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
conductive line holding portion may include an extension extending
from an end of the second portion of the conductive tab, and side
walls extending upwardly from opposing sides of the extension.
[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
distance between the side walls may be smaller than the diameter of
the insulating sheath.
[0021] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
first portion, the second portion, and the conductive line holding
portion, of the conductive tab, may be integrally formed.
[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
battery pack may further comprise solder joints, each of which is
formed by soldering one end of the conductive line to the second
portion of the conductive tab.
[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
battery pack may further comprise insulating tapes, each of which
is interposed between the second portion of the conductive tab and
the corresponding battery cell.
[0024] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
first portion of the conductive tab may be in contact with the
bottom surface, or the upper terminal-shaped convex surface, of the
corresponding battery cell, and the second portion of the
conductive tab may be parallel to the side surface of the battery
cell.
[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, the
battery cells may be cylindrical lithium secondary batteries.
[0026] Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will
be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part,
will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice
of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention
will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the
following description of the exemplary embodiments, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:
[0028] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the structure of a
battery pack, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating portion `A` of
FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating the
conductive tab of FIG. 2;
[0031] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a
conductive tab, which is structurally different from the conductive
tab of FIG. 3, according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention;
[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a conductive line
coupled to the conductive tab of FIG. 4 in a battery pack,
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0033] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a
conductive tab, which is structurally different from the conductive
tab of FIG. 3, according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a conductive line
coupled to the conductive tab of FIG. 6 in a battery pack,
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference
numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The exemplary
embodiments are described below, in order to explain the aspects of
the present invention, by referring to the figures.
[0036] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the structure of a
battery pack 700, according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating
portion `A` of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view
illustrating a conductive tab 200 of FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 1
through 3, the battery pack 700 comprises a plurality of battery
cells 100, the conductive tabs 200, conductive lines 300, solder
joints 400, a protective circuit module 500, and insulating tapes
600.
[0037] First and second ends of the battery cells 100 have
different polarities. In FIG. 1, the first ends are
terminal-shaped, convex surfaces that represent positive
electrodes, and the second ends are flat surfaces that represent
negative electrodes. Herein, it is assumed that the first and
second ends of the battery cells 100 are electrically connected to
positive and negative electrodes of electrode assemblies (not
shown) within the cells, respectively.
[0038] As the battery cells 100, cylindrical rechargeable secondary
batteries can be used. Cylindrical lithium secondary batteries can
be used as the battery cells 100, because such batteries have an
operating voltage of up to 3.6 V and a high energy density per unit
weight. Six battery cells 100 are shown in FIG. 1, but there is no
restriction on the number of the battery cells 100. The battery
cells 100 are individually referred to as first to sixth battery
cells 100A, 100B, 100C, 100D, 100E, and 100F.
[0039] Each of the conductive tabs 200 has a first portion
electrically connected to at least one of the battery cells 100,
and a second portion connected to at least one of conductive lines
300. Each of the conductive tabs 200 may include a conductive line
holding portion, formed on the second portion, to fix the
corresponding conductive line 300. The first portion, the second
portion, and the conductive line holding portion may be integrally
formed. Herein, the first portion is in contact with one of the
first and second ends of a corresponding battery cell 100. The
second portion extends from the first portion, so as to be parallel
to the side surface of the respective battery cell 100.
[0040] The conductive tabs 200 may be made of an electrically
conductive material selected from, but not limited to, nickel (Ni),
copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and equivalents thereof, to
electrically connect the battery cells 100 in series or in
parallel. In FIG. 1, the conductive tabs 200 are individually
referred to as first to fourth conductive tabs 210, 220, 230, and
240. The first conductive tab 210 is connected to the negative
electrodes (i.e. the lowest potential terminals (B-)) of battery
cells 100A and 100B. The second and third conductive tabs 220 and
230 are connected to sensing terminals B1 and B2, respectively, to
connect four of the battery cells 100 in series and/or in parallel.
The fourth conductive tab 240 is connected to the positive
electrodes (i.e. the highest potential terminals (B+)) of the
battery cells 100E and 100F.
[0041] It should, of course, be understood that the number of the
conductive tabs 200 increases as the number of battery cells is
increased. The structure of the first conductive tab 210 is
exemplified to illustrate the structure of the conductive tabs
200.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the first conductive tab 210
includes a first portion 211 and a second portion 213. The first
conductive tab 210 further includes a conductive line holding
portion 215 disposed on an end of the second portion 213. The first
portion 211 contacts the second ends of the first and second
battery cells 100A and 100B, to electrically connect the battery
cells 100A and 100B.
[0043] The second portion 213 extends from the first portion 211,
so as to be parallel to the side surface of the second battery cell
100B. The second portion 213 is electrically connected to the first
conductive line 310, through the respective solder joint 400. The
second portion 213 has a width sufficient to facilitate the
formation of the solder joint 400, without a space limitation.
[0044] The conductive line holding portion 215 is formed at an end
of the second portion 213, to fix the first conductive line 310
therein. Specifically, the conductive line holding portion 215
includes an extension 215a, side walls 215b, and fixing protrusions
215c.
[0045] The extension 215a extends from an end of the second portion
213, and is parallel to the second portion 213. The extension 215a
may have a smaller width than that of the second portion 213. The
width of the extension 215a may be approximately equal to the
diameter D1 of a portion of the first conductive line 310 that is
coupled to the conductive line holding portion 215.
[0046] The side walls 215b of the conductive line holding portion
215 are bent from the extension 215a and extend from opposing sides
of the extension 215a, away from the battery cell 100B. The side
walls 215b are substantially perpendicular to the extension 215a.
The side walls 215b and the extension 215a define a space where the
first conductive line 310 is fixed to the conductive line holding
portion 215.
[0047] The fixing protrusions 215c protrude from the side walls
215b, so as to face each other. The fixing protrusions 215c prevent
the first conductive line 310 from escaping the space, after
fixing. The distance S1 between the fixing protrusions 215c is
generally smaller than the diameter D1 of the first conductive line
310. For example, the distance S1 may be from about 60% to 85% of
the diameter D1 of the first conductive line 310. If the distance
is less than about 60% of the diameter D1 of the first conductive
line 310, it may be difficult for the first conductive line 310 to
pass between the fixing protrusions 215c. If the distance S1 is
greater than about 85% of the diameter D1 of the first conductive
line 310, the first conductive line 310 may escape from the
conductive line holding portion 215, when an external force is
applied.
[0048] The conductive line 300 is soldered to the second portion of
the conductive tab 200. The conductive lines 300 are connected to
the protective circuit module 500, which will be explained below,
to electrically connect the conductive tabs 200 and the protective
circuit module 500. Each of the conductive lines 300 is detachably
mounted to the conductive line holding portion of a respective one
of the conductive tabs 200. In FIG. 1, the conductive lines 300 are
individually referred to as first to fourth conductive lines 310,
320, 330, and 340. The structure of the first conductive line 310
is exemplified to illustrate the structure of all of the conductive
lines 300.
[0049] Specifically, the first conductive line 310 includes a
conductive wire 311, through which current flows, and an insulating
sheath 313 surrounding the conductive wire 311 and exposing both
ends of the conductive wire 311. The insulating sheath 313 prevents
unnecessary shorting between the first conductive tab 210 and the
protective circuit module 500. The connection between the
conductive line holding portion 215 of the first conductive tab 210
and the first conductive line 310 is exemplified to illustrate the
connection between the conductive line holding portions of the
conductive tabs 200 and the conductive lines 300. The first
conductive line 310 is coupled to the conductive line holding
portion 215 of the first conductive tab 210, such that a portion of
the insulating sheath 313 passes between the fixing protrusions
215c and is mounted in the space defined by the extension 215a and
the side walls 215b.
[0050] The distance S1, between the fixing protrusions 215c of the
conductive line holding portion 215, is smaller than the diameter
D1 of the insulating sheath 313. These dimensions prevent the first
conductive line 310 from escaping from the space defined by the
extension 215a and the side walls 215b. That is, the first
conductive line 310 is prevented from escaping from that area of
the solder joint 400, after being disconnected therefrom, because a
portion of the first conductive line 310 is fixed by the conductive
line holding portion 215. Therefore, the first conductive line 310
does not come into contact with the battery cell 110B, or a circuit
of the protective circuit module 500, to prevent electrical
shorting therebetween.
[0051] The distance S2 between the side walls 215b is equal to the
diameter D1 of the insulating sheath 313. With these dimensions,
the first conductive line 310 remains in place after being mounted
in the space defined by the extension 215a and the side walls 215b,
thus ensuring stable soldering of the second portion 213 and the
first conductive line 310.
[0052] The solder joints 400 are formed by soldering one end of
each of the conductive lines 300 (i.e., the conductive wire 311) to
the second portions of the conductive tabs 200. The solder joints
400 play a substantial role in electrically connecting the
conductive tabs 200 and the conductive lines 300. Although not
shown, the solder joints 400 may be formed between the other ends
of the conductive lines 300 and the protective circuit module 500,
which will be explained below.
[0053] The protective circuit module 500 is electrically connected
to the battery cells 100, through the conductive lines 300 and the
conductive tabs 200. The protective circuit module 500 may include
a circuit (not shown) for charging/discharging the battery cells
100, a protective circuit (not shown) for preventing overcharging
or over-discharging of the battery cells 100, a connector (not
shown) installed for the electrical connection with an external
set, a charger, etc., on an insulating substrate.
[0054] The insulating tapes 600 are interposed between the second
portions of the conductive tabs 200 and the side surfaces of the
battery cells 100. Specifically, the insulating tapes 600 are
interposed between the second portions of the first to fourth
conductive tabs 210, 220, 230, and 240, and the side surfaces of
the battery cells 100. The insulating tapes 600 prevent heat, which
is generated during soldering the first to fourth conductive tabs
210, 220, 230 and 240 to the ends of the conductive lines 300, from
damaging the battery cells 100. The insulating tapes 600
electrically insulate the conductive tabs 200, which are connected
to the positive electrodes of the battery cells 100, from the side
surfaces of the battery cells 100, which act as negative
electrodes.
[0055] The conductive lines 300 can be prevented from entirely
escaping from the areas the solder joints 400, after being
disconnected therefrom, because portions of the conductive lines
300 are fixed by the conductive line holding portions 215.
Therefore, the conductive lines 300 do not come into contact with
the battery cells 100, or the circuits of the protective circuit
module 500. This prevents electrical shorting between the
conductive lines 300 and the battery cells 100 and/or the
protective circuit module 500.
[0056] The conductive lines 300 can be locked to the conductive
line holding portions 215, in comparison with conventional battery
packs using fixing tapes, whose adhesive strength is weakened by an
electrolyte leaking from battery cells. Moreover, material costs in
the related art, associated with the use of fixing tapes, can be
reduced without the need for additional processing. Further, the
conductive line holding portions 215 are integrally formed with the
conductive tabs 200, thus reducing material costs, and eliminating
the need for additional processing associated with the use of
fixing tapes.
[0057] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a
conductive tab, which is structurally different from the conductive
tabs 200 of FIG. 3, according to another exemplary embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a
state in which a conductive line is coupled to the conductive tab
of FIG. 4, in a battery pack.
[0058] The conductive tabs can be used in the battery pack 700, in
place of the conductive tabs 200. Thus, the same reference numerals
are used to designate similar elements, and a repeated explanation
of such elements is omitted. The structure of a first conductive
tab 810 is exemplified to illustrate the structure of all the
conductive tabs. The connection between the first conductive tab
810 and the first conductive line 310 is exemplified to illustrate
the connection between all the conductive tabs and the conductive
lines.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 4, the first conductive tab 810 includes a
first portion 811 in contact with the second surfaces of the first
and second battery cells 100A and 100B, and a second portion 813
extending from the first portion 811, so as to be parallel to the
side surface of the second battery cell 100B. The first conductive
tab 810 includes a conductive line holding portion 815 formed on
the second portion 813. The first and second portions 811 and 813
are similar to the first and second portions 211 and 213 of the
first conductive tab 210.
[0060] The conductive line holding portion 815 is formed at an end
of the second portion 813, to fix the conductive line 315 therein.
Specifically, the conductive line holding portion 815 includes an
extension 815a and tapered walls 815b. The extension 815a has
generally the same structure as the extension 215a.
[0061] The tapered walls 815b are bent from opposing sides of the
extension 815a and gradually increase in width as they extend from
the extension 815a. The tapered walls 815b are substantially
perpendicular to the extension 815a. The tapered walls 815b,
together with the extension 815a, define a space, where the first
conductive line 310 is fixed to the conductive line holding portion
815. The tapered walls 815b serve as latches to prevent the release
of the first conductive line 310 from the space, after fixing. The
distance S11 between the ends of the tapered walls 815b may be
smaller than the diameter D1 of the first conductive line 310. For
example, the distance S11 may be the same as the distance S1
between the fixing protrusions 215c.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 5, the first conductive line 310 is
coupled to the conductive line holding portion 815. A portion of
the insulating sheath 313 of the first conductive line 310 passes
between the tapered walls 815b and is mounted in the space defined
by the extension 815a and the tapered walls 815b.
[0063] The distance S11 between the tapered walls 815b is smaller
than the diameter D1 of the insulating sheath 313. These dimensions
prevent the first conductive line 310 from escaping from the space.
That is, the first conductive line 310 is prevented from escaping
from the area of the solder joint 400, after being disconnected
from the solder joint 400, because a portion of the first
conductive line 310 is fixed by the conductive line holding portion
815. Therefore, the first conductive line 310 does not come into
contact with the battery cell 110B or a circuit of the protective
circuit module 500, to prevent electrical shorting
therebetween.
[0064] The tapered walls 815b surround and tightly fix the first
conductive line 310, due to their tapered shape. Therefore, the
first conductive line 310 remains fixed after being mounted in the
conductive line holding portion 215. This insures stable soldering
of the second portion 813 and the first conductive line 310. The
fixing of the first conductive line 310 by the tapered walls 815b
allows for stronger fixing of the first conductive line 310, than
the fixing of the first conductive line 310 by the conductive line
holding portion 215.
[0065] FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating a
conductive tab, which is structurally different from the conductive
tab 210 of FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a
state in which a conductive line is coupled to the conductive tab
of FIG. 6, in a battery pack.
[0066] The conductive tab of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be used in the
battery pack 700, in place of the conductive tabs 200. Thus, the
same reference numerals are used to designate similar elements, and
a repeated explanation of such elements is omitted. The structure
of a first conductive tab 910 is exemplified to illustrate the
structure of the conductive tabs. The connection between the first
conductive tab 910 and the first conductive line 310 is exemplified
to illustrate the connection between the conductive tabs and the
conductive lines.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 6, the first conductive tab 910 includes a
first portion 911 in contact with the second surfaces of the first
and second battery cells 100A and 100B, and a second portion 913
extending from the first portion 911, so as to be parallel to the
side surface of the second battery cell 100B. The first conductive
tab 910 includes a conductive line holding portion 915 formed on
the second portion 913. The first and second portions 911 and 913
are similar to the first and second portions 211 and 213 of the
first conductive tab 210, and thus, their description is
omitted.
[0068] The conductive line holding portion 915 is formed at an end
of the second portion 913, to fix the first conductive line 310
therein. Specifically, the conductive line holding portion 915
includes an extension 915a and side walls 915b.
[0069] The extension 915a has generally the same structure as the
extension 215a, except that the extension 915a has a smaller width
than that of the extension 215a. That is, the width of the
extension 915a is smaller than the diameter D1 of the first
conductive line 310.
[0070] The side walls 915b have generally the same shape as the
side walls 251b of the conductive line holding portion 215, except
that the distance S21 between the side walls 915b is smaller than
the distance S1 between the side walls 215a, because the side walls
915b extend from the more narrow extension 915a. With these
dimensions, the first conductive line 310 may be press-fit into the
conductive line holding portion 915.
[0071] Referring to FIG. 7, the first conductive line 310 is
coupled to the conductive line holding portion 915. A portion of
the insulating sheath 313 of the first conductive line 310 is
press-fit between the side walls 915b and is mounted in a space
defined by the extension 915a and the side walls 915b.
[0072] The distance S21 between the side walls 915b is smaller than
the diameter D1 of the insulating sheath 313. These dimensions
prevent the first conductive line 310 from escaping from the space
defined by the extension 915a and the side walls 915b. That is, the
first conductive line 310 is prevented from entirely escaping from
the area of the solder joint 400, after being disconnected
therefrom, because a portion of the first conductive line 310 is
fixed by the conductive line holding portion 915. Therefore, the
first conductive line 310 does not come into contact with the
battery cell 110B, or a circuit of the protective circuit module
500, so as to prevent electrical shorting. The press-fitting of the
first conductive line 310 between the side walls 915b of the
conductive line holding portion 915 allows for simpler fixing of
the first conductive line 310 than the fixing of the first
conductive line 310 by the conductive line holding portion 215.
[0073] As is apparent from the above description, since portions of
the conductive lines are fixed by the conductive line holding
portions of the conductive tabs, the conductive lines can be
prevented from entirely escaping from the area of the solder joints
and contacting the battery cells and/or circuits of the protective
circuit module, thereby preventing electrical shorting. In
addition, the conductive lines can be locked into the conductive
line holding portions, in comparison with conventional battery
packs using fixing tapes, whose adhesive strength is weakened by an
electrolyte leaking from battery cells. Furthermore, the conductive
line holding portions are integrally formed with the conductive
tabs, thus reducing material costs and eliminating the need for
additional processing associated with the use of the fixing
tapes.
[0074] Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present
invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by
those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these
exemplary embodiments, without departing from the principles and
spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the
claims and their equivalents.
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